Episode Title: Ways to Handle Cumulative Grief Gently Episode Description: In today’s episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker unpacks the concept of cumulative grief and why unresolved losses from the past can intensify the pain of new ones. Sharon shares insights drawn from her own journey and years of experience with grieving clients to shed light on the overwhelming effects of grief overload. From childhood losses to recent heartbreaks, she explains how cumulative grief layers upon itself, often leaving us feeling trapped in a cycle of sorrow. This episode guides listeners on embracing their grief fully, with actionable steps for managing the waves of unresolved pain and building resilience along the way. Key Points Discussed:   The Nature of Cumulative Grief Grief doesn’t operate on a timeline; it builds up over time. Sharon explains how early grief experiences, even from childhood, can resurface with each new loss, creating an overwhelming accumulation of unresolved pain.   Recognizing Grief Overload Grief can feel like waves crashing repeatedly with no breathing room. Sharon discusses how grief overload occurs when we face multiple losses in a short period or hold onto grief from years past, making it feel impossible to manage.   Avoiding the “Grief Detective” Mindset Instead of processing grief, some people become “grief detectives,” focusing on finding answers or blaming others as a way of avoiding painful emotions. Sharon explains how this can prolong grief and offers tips for breaking this habit.   Finding a “Grief Friend” or Support Group Even when it feels easier to carry grief alone, having a “grief friend” or joining a support group can provide comfort and understanding. Sharon encourages listeners to reach out to those who truly support their grief journey.   Taking Action for Healing Healing doesn’t just happen with time; it requires active steps. Sharon highlights practical actions, from journaling to creative expression, that help make space for grief, allowing it to flow rather than accumulate.   Journal Questions:  What early losses have you experienced that still weigh heavy on your heart? How might avoidance or “grief detective” behaviors affect your grieving process? Who in your life can be a supportive “grief friend” as you navigate cumulative grief? Reflect on a time you felt joy despite experiencing loss. What did that teach you? What is one small step you can take to begin addressing any unresolved grief?  Conclusion: Reflect on these questions as you approach grief with patience and self-compassion. Remember, grief is not meant to be carried alone. Each action step you take helps build a foundation of resilience, moving you closer to peace.  Follow Us:  Website:  Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool  Contact Us:  Email:   Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for more episodes offering support, insight, and hope on your grief journey.

Ways to Handle Cumulative Grief Gently

Honoring Your Loved One While Thriving in Grief Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the powerful connection between honoring a loved one’s memory and finding personal growth through grief. She challenges the common belief that grieving and thriving are opposites, showing how they can coexist. Through personal stories and practical guidance, Sharon helps listeners embrace healing while keeping their loved one’s legacy alive. Key Points Discussed: The Coexistence of Grief and Growth  Grief doesn’t mean a life of endless suffering, and thriving doesn’t mean forgetting your person. Healing involves learning to carry grief while finding purpose and moments of joy.  Honoring Their Memory Through Storytelling  Sharing stories keeps your loved one’s presence alive in your heart and helps others who are grieving. Personal anecdotes, cherished memories, and creative expressions can become healing tools.  How Loss Deepens Relationships  Grief can shift the way we interact with others, often leading to deeper connections with family and friends. Simple gestures like saying “I love you” more often or creating new traditions in their honor can be powerful acts of remembrance.  Finding Meaning in Grief  Reflecting on how grief has changed your perspective, passions, or career can help channel pain into personal growth. Identifying lessons from your loss can shape the way you move forward while still honoring your person.  Journal Questions for Reflection:  What are the ways you currently honor your loved one’s memory? How has grief reshaped your relationships with others? What lessons have you learned from your journey through loss? How can sharing your person’s story bring healing to you and others?  Conclusion: Grief is life-changing, but it doesn’t mean you have to be forever broken. Sharon encourages listeners to find ways to keep their loved one’s spirit alive while embracing growth and healing. By sharing their stories and allowing grief to be part of their journey, they can create a meaningful legacy of love and resilience. Resources and Support:  Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST &amp; Thursdays at 10 AM CST. Grief Assessment – Schedule a personalized session with Sharon. Website:  Facebook Group: The Grief School Contact: Email Sharon at   Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on healing, grief, and resilience.

You’re Forever Changed But You Don’t Have to Be Forever Broken

The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the often-overlooked process of truly understanding and working through grief. She challenges the misconceptions around "moving on" and highlights the importance of acknowledging and processing pain as essential steps toward healing. Through personal experiences and expert insights, Sharon shares a powerful approach to grief that transforms pain into progress. Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Endless   Many people struggle with lingering grief for years because they were never taught how to process it properly.   Healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning to carry grief in a healthy way.   Ignoring pain only intensifies it, making healing feel impossible.   Acknowledging the Pain as a First Step   The first step to healing is recognizing and allowing yourself to feel the pain of grief.   Suppressing grief leads to emotional wounds that can fester, much like an untreated physical injury.   Saying "This hurts" and acknowledging grief’s presence is a powerful act of self-compassion.   The Role of Processing Grief   Healing requires intentional work—grief is not something you simply "get over."   Before true emotional healing can begin, one must first learn how to grieve.   Processing grief involves daily, small steps rather than a single breakthrough moment.   Understanding the Two-Part Healing Approach   Processing the Pain of Grief: Identifying and working through the pain step by step.   The Courage to Grieve: Once pain has been processed, this stage allows for deeper grief work and transformation.   Healing is not about erasing pain but about learning to tend to it properly.   Journal Questions for Reflection:   Have you been avoiding your grief, and if so, in what ways?   How does unprocessed pain show up in your life?   What small steps can you take today to begin acknowledging and tending to your grief?   How can you reframe your grief as a process rather than something to "get over"?   Conclusion: Grief is not an enemy—it is a signal that healing needs to take place. Sharon encourages listeners to take the first step by acknowledging their pain and starting the process of working through it. With the right tools and mindset, grief can become a pathway to resilience and growth rather than an overwhelming burden. Resources and Support:   Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST &amp; Thursdays at 10 AM CST.   Processing the Pain of Grief Program – A step-by-step guide to tending to your grief.   Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com   Facebook Group: The Grief School   Contact: Email Sharon at    Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on healing, grief, and resilience. &nbsp;

The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief

The Truth About Grief: Why Pain Demands to Be Felt Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker sheds light on the exhausting and relentless nature of grief. She challenges the common advice to “give it time” and explains why grief pain demands to be felt. Through personal stories and deep insights, Sharon provides listeners with practical steps to lean into their grief and begin processing it in a healthy way. Key Points Discussed: Why Grief Feels Exhausting   Grief takes every bit of your energy, leaving you physically and emotionally drained.   Staying busy and distracted may seem like a solution, but it doesn’t make the pain go away.   The exhaustion of grief is real—it’s as if all your nerve endings are exposed, making even small tasks feel overwhelming.   The Myth of “Time Heals All”   Many are told to just “give it time,” but time alone does not heal grief.   Pain has a purpose—it demands to be felt and processed before true healing can begin.   Avoiding grief only causes it to show up unexpectedly, in ways we don’t anticipate.   The Chatter of Grief   Grief creates an ongoing mental dialogue, much like background noise that never stops.   Unprocessed grief thoughts turn into overwhelming emotions that take over daily life.   The only way to quiet the chatter is to acknowledge and process the emotions tied to it.   Our Culture Teaches Us to Push Through   Society conditions us to suppress grief, offering minimal time to grieve before returning to “normal.”   We have been led to believe that grief has an expiration date, but real healing comes from actively tending to our pain.   A Simple Practice for Processing Grief   Instead of pushing grief away, pause and acknowledge its presence.   Identify the emotion you’re feeling—sadness, loneliness, anger—and name it.   Lean into the emotion rather than resisting it, allowing it to pass through you.   This intentional awareness helps relieve the weight of grief over time.   Journal Questions for Reflection:   Have you been trying to stay busy to avoid your grief? How has that affected you?   What are some ways your grief is showing up unexpectedly in your life?   When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your emotions? How did it feel?   What would it look like for you to practice awareness and acknowledgment of your grief today?   Conclusion: Grief is not something to “get over”—it is something to tend to with care. Sharon encourages listeners to challenge societal norms, embrace their grief, and practice awareness. By learning to process grief instead of suppressing it, healing becomes possible. Resources and Support:   Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST &amp; Thursdays at 10 AM CST.   Processing the Pain of Grief Program – Learn the step-by-step approach to healing.   Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com   Facebook Group: The Grief School   Contact: Email Sharon at    Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on grief, healing, and resilience.

Breaking the Myth: Time Alone Won’t Heal Your Grief

Grief and the Journey of Healing Grief is a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience. Society tends to encourage moving on quickly, but true healing comes from acknowledging and processing grief rather than suppressing it. Sharon Brubaker, a grief specialist with over 18 years of experience, guides individuals through their healing journeys with compassion and practical tools. Rather than avoiding grief, embracing it with awareness can lead to emotional recovery. Suppressing grief may seem like the easiest option, but unprocessed emotions often resurface in unexpected ways. By allowing yourself to sit with your emotions, you create space for healing. Journal Questions for Reflection Take a moment to reflect on your grief journey with these questions. Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and insight:   Have you been keeping yourself busy as a way to cope with grief? How has that been working for you?   What are some unexpected ways your grief has shown up in your daily life?   When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your emotions? How did it feel?   What would it look like for you to practice awareness and acknowledgment of your grief today?   Conclusion Remember, grief is not something to “get over”—it’s something to tend to with care and compassion. Sharon encourages you to challenge societal norms, embrace your grief, and practice self-awareness. When we allow ourselves to process grief instead of suppressing it, true healing becomes possible. Resources and Support   Processing the Pain of Grief Program – A guided, step-by-step approach to navigating loss and healing.   Website:    Facebook Group: The Grief School – Connect with others who understand and support your journey.   Contact: Email Sharon at    Thank you for being part of this journey. You are not alone.

The Truth About Processing Grief

&nbsp; The Truth About Time and Why It Won’t Heal Your Grief Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker challenges one of the most common myths about grief: that time alone will heal all wounds. With raw honesty and deep personal reflection, Sharon explores the ways time affects grief—not by erasing pain, but by revealing the spaces where healing is still needed. She shares her own journey of realizing just how long it has been since she last saw and spoke to her loved ones, and the surprising emotions that surfaced when she did the math. If you've ever wondered why your grief still feels fresh after months or even years, this episode will provide clarity, validation, and a new perspective on how to navigate healing with intention. Key Points Discussed:   The Myth of Time as a Healer Why waiting for time to "fix" grief often leads to more frustration and heartache.   What Time Actually Does Time reveals unresolved pain, surfaces hidden emotions, and shows us where healing still needs attention.   The Power of Intentional Healing Healing doesn’t happen passively—it requires action, awareness, and willingness to face the grief head-on.   Softening vs. Healing Time may soften the edges of grief, but true healing comes when we actively engage in our healing journey.   Journal Questions for Reflection:   What has time revealed to you about your grief?   What emotions resurface for you again and again?   How can you lean into your grief with intention instead of waiting for time to pass?   Join the Journey: Healing takes time, but it also takes intention. If you're ready to move forward with purpose, explore resources at The Grief School, join our Study Hall sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, or follow Sharon’s live sessions on TikTok and Facebook. 👉 Follow Us:   Website:    Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart   Instagram: @healatthegriefschool   TikTok:   Check our Programs:  💙 You’re not alone in this. Sharon is here to walk with you—because she is you.

The Truth About Time and Why It Won’t Heal Your Grief

The Lies We've Been Told About Grief Episode Description: In this eye-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker confronts the damaging lies we've all been told about grief. From childhood, we are handed false beliefs like: • “Don’t feel bad” • “Be strong” • “Time will heal” • “You should get over it” Sharon dives deep into how these messages have distorted our understanding of grief and often cause us to suppress or deny the pain we’re carrying. She shares her own personal experience with the grief that no one warned her about, and how unlearning these toxic myths led her on a path of true healing. If you’ve ever felt like your grief didn’t fit into the tidy boxes society sets for it, this episode is a must-listen. Sharon invites you to release the shame and guilt tied to these lies, offering a new, empowering perspective on what it truly means to grieve and heal. Key Points Discussed:   The Lies We’ve Been Taught About Grief Why pretending to be “strong” and “moving on” can actually hold us back from healing.   How Grief Should Really Be Handled Understanding grief as a personal journey that requires space, time, and the willingness to feel deeply.   The Cost of Suppressing Grief How ignoring your grief can lead to long-term emotional pain, and why it’s crucial to face it head-on.   Grief as a Journey, Not a Destination Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and healing doesn’t mean you “get over it.” It means you learn to live with it.   Journal Questions for Reflection:   What lies about grief have you been told or have believed?   How do you feel when others tell you to “move on” or “be strong”?   What would it look like if you gave yourself permission to grieve openly and without judgment?   Join the Journey: Grief doesn’t follow a simple, linear path, but Sharon is here to help you navigate it with compassion. Visit The Grief School for more resources, and join our Study Hall sessions every Tuesday and Thursday. You can also connect with Sharon during her live sessions on TikTok and Facebook. 👉 Follow Us: Website:  Facebook: Healing Starts with the Heart Instagram: @healatthegriefschool TikTok: @thegriefschool Check our Programs:   💙 You’re not alone in this. Sharon is here to walk with you—because she is you.

The Lies We've Been Told About Grief

Grieve That Sht – A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever  Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it’s time for all grievers to stop hiding. If you’ve ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It’s a declaration. It’s your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully.  Key Points Discussed:   The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht*   Why we need to stop hiding in our grief   The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses   The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don’t help   The world’s broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain   Sharon’s personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement   The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal   What it means to grieve on your own terms   How the book and Sharon’s grief programs are transforming the healing process    Journal Questions for Reflection:   What "grief sh*t" have you been carrying that no one sees?   How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel?   In what ways have you felt pressure to “move on” before you were ready?   What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically?   Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal?    Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn’t just writing a book. She’s starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that’s how healing starts—with a heart wide open.  Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at:  Follow Sharon on TikTok:  Learn more or join our next healing weekend at:  You can also follow and connect with us at:

Grieve That Sht – A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever

A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it’s time for all grievers to stop hiding. If you’ve ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It’s a declaration. It’s your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully. Key Points Discussed:   The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht*   Why we need to stop hiding in our grief   The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses   The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don’t help   The world’s broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain   Sharon’s personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement   The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal   What it means to grieve on your own terms   How the book and Sharon’s grief programs are transforming the healing process   Journal Questions for Reflection:   What “grief sh*t” have you been carrying that no one sees?   How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel?   In what ways have you felt pressure to “move on” before you were ready?   What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically?   Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal?   Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn’t just writing a book. She’s starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that’s how healing starts—with a heart wide open. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at:  Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at:  You can also follow and connect with us at:

A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever

Episode Summary: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the raw truth behind her book Grieve That Sht*. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, Sharon unpacks “the grief sh*t”—the real, often unspoken pain that comes with loss—and what it actually feels like in the body, mind, and soul. This episode is a lifeline for anyone navigating the devastating aftermath of grief and looking for real talk, not clichés.  Key Points Discussed:   The origin and meaning behind the book title Grieve That Sht*   What "the sh*t" really is: the messy, painful, and often invalidated experience of grieving   Grief as a full-body, biological, emotional, and intellectual experience   The myth of “moving on,” “closure,” and other harmful expectations   Why people say the wrong things, and how to hold your truth anyway   You can’t outthink grief—you have to feel your way through it   Grief is more than death: it includes lost dreams, identities, relationships, and futures    Journal Questions for Reflection:   What does "the grief sh*t" look like in your life right now?   When have you tried to “outthink” your grief, and how did that feel in your body?   How do you resist grief—and what might it feel like to let go just a little?   What parts of your life or identity have you grieved that weren’t related to death?   What’s one honest answer you could give someone if they asked how you’re really doing?    Conclusion: Grief isn’t just emotional—it’s physical, spiritual, and all-consuming. It changes everything, and there’s no handbook, no timeline, no “right” way to do it. But one truth remains: you are not broken. You are grieving, and your body knows what to do. You don’t have to hold your breath through it—you can let yourself breathe again. Let this episode be your reminder: you’re doing a damn good job just making it through today.  📬 Contact Us: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📚 Get on the waitlist for Grieve That Sht*:  📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok:  💌 Email:

This Is the Grief Sh*t No One Talks About

🎙️ Episode Summary: In this unforgettable episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker shares the story of the exact moment her life split into “before” and “after.” Through a searingly honest account of the phone call that changed everything—the loss of her nephew Austin—Sharon takes listeners inside the collapse that grief can cause. This isn’t a conversation about “moving on” or checking boxes—it’s a journey through the mess, the silence, and the search for truth. If you’ve had that day—the one where it all fell apart—this episode is for you.  💔 Key Points Discussed:   The moment grief hit: June 17, 2006—the call that shattered Sharon’s life   The illusion of “ordinary” before a loss, and the unbearable clarity after   How the world keeps spinning while your life stops   The raw, physical, full-body nature of grief   Society’s failure to understand or support grieving people   The myth of strength: why being “strong” isn’t always helpful   Why no one is coming to save you—and how Sharon created the help she needed   The role of silence, breaking down, and choosing to face the pain head-on   Why The Grief School and Grief Study Hall were born—from brokenness to building   The truth: You are not broken. You are grieving. And you don’t have to do it alone.    📝 Journal Questions for Reflection:   What was the moment that split your life into “before” and “after”?   How did your body respond to the shock of your loss?   What lies about grief or “being strong” have you believed or been told?   Where in your life have you been waiting for someone to save you?   What truth are you ready to say out loud about your grief?    🔚 Conclusion: Grief isn’t polite. It doesn’t knock first. It wrecks, rewires, and reshapes everything. But even in the rubble, there is still breath, still hope, and still a path through. If you’ve had that day—the one that broke you—you are not alone. And if no one ever told you: you don’t have to carry this forever. You just have to walk through it. One breath at a time. One truth at a time.  📬 Contact &amp; Community: Need more support or want to connect with Sharon? 📝 Join Grief Study Hall: Every Tuesday, 1–3 PM CST 📚 Read the Book: Grieve That Sht* — grab it at  📸 Follow Sharon on TikTok:  💌 Email:

Ways to Handle Cumulative Grief Gently

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